Rockford IceHogs: Kyle Beach back with 'the boys'

ROCKFORD – Tuesday's late morning practice no doubt felt like a night-time game to Kyle Beach.

The familiar forward to Rockford IceHogs fans had just returned from Sweden, with his body still on the European clock.

"I went to Peak (Fitness) at 6 a.m. this morning, which isn't like me," he said with a smile. "But I was wide awake and it was noonish over there."

There has been a lot of change for Beach, and not just swapping his HV71 jersey from Sweden for the 'Hogs uniform he has worn over parts of the past five American Hockey League seasons.

He signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in July, and he spent a week training in Sweden in preparation for the NHL champion's camp. Chicago eventually waived Beach, but he quickly was picked up by people he impressed playing in Sweden.

He notched two goals and an assist in seven games with HV71. With the 'Hogs, he has played 162 games with 37 goals with 35 assists.

"It's exciting," Beach said of being back in town. "I've been following the boys while in Sweden. Obviously, they are off to a great start (7-2-1-0 heading into Thursday night's home game with Charlotte), and hopefully I can come in and blend and help the team keep going the way it has been going."

Beach, of course, wants to play Thursday night. Head coach Ted Dent was noncommittal.

"We'll get him a few practices and go from there," he said. "We know his game. For Kyle to be successful here, he's got to move his feet, play with speed, stay out of the after-the-whistle stuff, and just play hockey — shoot the puck as much as possible because he has a wicked shot."

Beach said playing hockey in Sweden helped him mature "what with all the travel and changes and different situations. It was a great experience, and I'd definitely do it again."

With his latest – and perhaps last – chance with the 'Hogs, does Beach feel he has anything to prove?

"I'm just here trying to play my game and help this team win," he said. "Right now they're doing that and doing it well. I don't want to disrupt that. I don't want to disrupt the chemistry and bond they got going on. I just want to slide in and fit in with everyone else."